Swim

Swim Basics

If running is a choose-your-own-adventure story, swimming is not. Of the three disciplines, swimming is the hardest to practice without trained coaches to assist you. If you don’t have a swimming background, the various strokes are hard to teach correctly. To find a swim club in your area, please refer to the USA Swim Team Finder. If your child is not currently with a swim coach, we recommend that you confirm their ability to safely and comfortably swim any race distance prior to signing them up for a race.

Once your child has found their stroke, Florida, with all of its various bodies of water, is a virtual playground. Please refer to our Places to Swim section, for several amazing (and fun) OWS (“Open Water Swim”) options. We also have some fun drills for your kids to try in our Swim Workouts section.

Please note that our OWS locations and swim events generally assume your child has fully mastered their freestyle stroke, and can swim 10 minutes or more both comfortably and without distress. We recommend that you consult with your child’s swim coach, inquire as to your ability to swim alongside them, err on the side of caution when evaluating whether your child is ready for any OWS practice or event. It will always be both more difficult and less forgiving than the pool.

Places to Swim 

One of the biggest challenges children face in youth triathlon is getting over their natural fear of the open water. Merely getting in the water can be a scary proposition when you can’t see what is at the bottom or what creatures share the water. Fortunately, Florida is filled with free and reasonably-priced places where kids can learn to swim confidently in open water while you and your family make a day of it. With that in mind, we have compiled some low-cost or free open-water swimming options geared at children 12 and under. Unless otherwise noted, state parks are open 8 am to sunset and public swim areas are open sunrise to sunset.

As with all things on this site, we have tried to keep the focus on fun, which is why we’ve tried our best to feature places with playground and picnic facilities. We believe that nothing is more effective at encouraging a child to swim fearlessly in the open water than treating the open water as a fun place to play. As a general rule of thumb, don’t expect that you’ll always have conditions suitable for structured practice at these locations. These places often fill up, particularly at peak season. When that happens, we recommend you roll with it and keep it fun.

No traditional saltwater beaches appear on the list below. This is for several reasons: (1) It’s not sharks and alligators that pose the greatest danger to your child’s safety, but rather riptides and bacteria levels; (2) waves and natural water currents make it much more difficult for children (or anyone) to perform basic maneuvers such as out-and-backs; and (3) if we listed every amazing Florida beach, there would simply be too many to list. If you would like to practice at a saltwater site, we recommend you learn both the currents and tides beforehand.

Finally, as safety is paramount, your child should not be attempting open water swims where they cannot touch bottom without a personal swim buoy. Please refer to our buyer’s guide for help finding one. 

Deleon Springs State Park – Entrance Located at 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130. Cost of admission is $6 per vehicle or free with your Florida Parks Pass.

(Image courtesy of www.floridastateparks.org)

Deleon Springs State Park is full of beauty and natural history.  The huge swimming area (also the headspring) is roughly 55-65 yards wide, depending on the direction you swim. It has a grassy day use area, as well as a playground. However, this is a location where you will want to arrive early during busy times of year. The park can, and often does reach capacity shortly after it opens at 8 a.m., and lines to get in the park can stretch upwards of a half mile long to get in. If it reaches capacity, no one else will be let in the park. In other words, plan to be in line before the park opens.

What makes this place so special is one of Florida’s oldest breakfast joints. The Sugar Mill Pancake House is a 100 year old restaurant, located on the water, where you can make your own pancakes at your table. It is a true slice of Old Florida, and belongs firmly on any Florida bucket list. However, you may have a fussy toddler that does not have 100 years of patience. As such, you should plan on putting in for your table at least 60-90 minutes of when you hope to be seated. 

Lake Jackson Fishing Pier – Located at 355 W Center Ave, Sebring, FL 33870. Free admission and parking.

Once home to one of Florida’s largest youth triathlons, Lake Jackson remains a wonderful place to introduce kids to the open water. The waterfront has a spacious beachfront area, and it is completely free to the public. You may park at the civic center or library next door. One feature of lake jackson is that it remains shallow for quite some distance into the water, making it a great place for beginners who may need to touch the bottom from time to time. There are restrooms, and picnic areas , but no showers.  If you go, we recommend you make a morning of it and visit the nearby ice cream shop and/ or children’s museum.

Lake Louisa State Park Beach Area – Entrance located at 7305 US-27, Clermont, FL 34714. Cost of admission is $5 per vehicle, or free with your Florida Parks Pass.

Home of the Clermont Draft Legal Challenge, the premier youth/junior draft legal event in the State of Florida. Lake Louisa makes this list for both swimming and biking. The swim area has a large sand beach area, but beware that it gets very hot in the summer, and you will need flip flops. 

There are showers and restrooms on site. There are also picnic areas, and a playground near the lake. The park also has an equestrian area where you can take guided horseback tours for an additional charge. 

There is also a camping area, and air-conditioned cabins suitable for a family of up to 6. Both the cabins and the campsites can be booked through the State of Florida, and you will likely need to book several months out. There is also a private company that rents “glamping” tents.

Lake Manatee State Park – Entrance located at 20007 FL-64, Bradenton, FL 34212. Cost of admission is $5 per vehicle, or free with your Florida Parks Pass.

(Image courtesy of www.floridastateparks.org)

Lake Manatee is a hidden gem in terms of freshwater OWS swims destinations in Florida State Parks. While you may see literally thousands at Rainbow Springs, and dozens at Lake Louisa on a given Saturday, you will typically only see a handful of folks at Lake Manatee State Park at any time. This, coupled with its relatively grassy (as opposed to sandy) waterfront make it an ideal place to practice both OWS and transition. Having the place somewhat to yourself remains a realistic opportunity, even during busy times of year. However, much like Lake Louisa, the area surrounding the park is rapidly urbanizing.

Lake Manatee offers a picnic area, restrooms, showers, a playground, and camping, which can be booked through the State of Florida.

Lucky’s Lake –  Entrance located at 6645 Lake Cane Dr Orlando, FL 32819. Lucky’s Lake is available to the public 6 days a week, free of charge. Hours are Monday – Friday at 630 a.m. and Saturday at 745 a.m.

(Image courtesy of Tripadvisor.com)

Have you ever thought to yourself, “If I won the Lottery I’d invite everyone over to my beautiful waterfront house and let them swim in my backyard every day”? That’s basically Lucky’s Lake, minus the lottery, plus zombies. Dead smack in one of the busiest areas of Orlando, a golf ball’s distance from Universal Studios Orlando, lies Lucky’s Lake (aka Lake Cane). 

However, Lucky’s is not for beginner swimmers, as it consists of a 1k (500m out, 500m back) in the open water. If your child cannot comfortably swim this distance in a pool (and then some), you should not attempt this with them.

However, if and when you do complete the out and back, you get the joy of ringing the bell, signing your name to the wall of fame, and receiving a gift bag, which usually includes a book about…you guessed it…zombies (warning: may not be suitable for children). There are also restrooms and change rooms on site. It really is an amazing experience, and if you go you should bring a group and all plan to swim together. 

Please note you should arrive promptly and start on time. Lucky’s is not a come-at-your-leisure event.  You will be a guest on someone’s private property, so please act as such. Also note that all parties will be required to sign a waiver, and wear a personal swim buoy (which they provide) for your first crossing, regardless of age. 

Rainbow River – There are several ways to enjoy the Rainbow River, each discussed individually below. Please keep in mind that the river can be somewhat confusing to newcomers, because it is easy to confuse the east and west side access points of the river.

If you are just looking to take a quick dip in a fixed location, you can do that one of two ways:

1. The Headspring at Rainbow Springs State Park Entrance located at 19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432 (Note: for some reason Google navigates this address to the Rainbow Springs State Park Campground). The Campground is located on the east side of the river, while the Headspring is accessed from the west). Cost of admission is $5 per vehicle, or free with your Florida Parks Pass.

(Image courtesy of Floridastateparks.org)

 The headspring has a roped-in swim area that you are required to stay within if only visiting the headspring. Much like DeLeon Springs, they do cap the number of people allowed to enter the park every day, so arrive early. There are restrooms, concessions, and picnic areas.

2. KP Hole Swimming Area. Entrance at 9435 SW 190th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432, on the west side of the river. Hours are 8 am to 8 pm April-September and 8 am to 5 pm October through March. Cost of admission is $7 if you are just swimming or launching a kayak/sup. 

(Image courtesy of www.ocalamarion.com)

The challenge with going to KP Hole is parking, which often fills up early in peak season (so much so that the county sells VIP parking passes). You may end up having to park at an alternate location such as Rainbow Neighborhood Park located at 9941 SW 190th Avenue Rd  (just over a half mile away). Because KP Hole is also a tubing location, there are often long lines at the entrance when it opens. There are restrooms and concessions (including burgers, hot dogs, etc) as well as lockers and showers.

But there is much more to Rainbow River than swimming in a few fixed locations. If you have the time we highly recommend you tube the river. When you do, be sure to take swim fins and goggles as there are tons of fish and turtles to discover beneath the surface. And if you’re trying to encourage your child to swim, bring some sort of rope or strap so that you can tie your tube to theirs. 

However, beware that even though the entire river is a no wake zone, there still are motorized boats in the river,. Be mindful, and swim near your tube (or with a swim buoy) at all times. You will be out on the water for hours, so you will need to figure out a way to bring water to drink. Items like short pieces of rope and carabiners are also your friends.  Please respect the rules in place regarding single use plastics, so that we all may enjoy the river for generations to come.. Also, kids are not as adept at regulating their body temperature as adults, so depending on how long they will be in the water, a wetsuit may be in order.

There are two main ways to tube the Rainbow River, both of which provide full service (including tube and shuttle), and both of which fill up during peak season. If you want to ensure that you get in, try and arrive before 10 am at either of the following locations:

1. Rainbow Spring State Park Tubing. – Entrance at 10830 SW 180th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432.  Hours are seasonal, and tubing is generally closed from October until April every year. This is the shorter of the two tubing options, and lasts between 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on water flow levels. It is run through the Florida State Parks. Admission to tubing is $24, with an additional $2 fee if you do not have a State Parks Pass. This is a good place to take your first tubing adventure. Tubing often reaches capacity early, but in no event will they let you arrive after 4.

(Image Courtesy of www.visitrainbowsprings.com)

2. KP Hole Tubing – Entrance at 9435 SW 190th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432. This is the long tubing option, and usually takes 3.5 to 4 hours. Admission is $30, or $25 if you have a group of 4 or more. You may want to consider a dry bag and some snacks for this journey, and you will definitely need a water bottle. As with the State, tubing from KP Hole is closed from October through March, and parking will be an issue. Tubing often reaches capacity early, but in no event will they let you rent a tube after 1245 pm.

(Image courtesy of www.lovingstpete.com)

Waterfront Park – Located at 330 3rd St, Clermont, FL 34711. Free admission and parking.

(Image courtesy of www.clermontfl.gov)

Home to several triathlons, in peak season Waterfront Park hosts roughly one triathlon per month. Waterfront Park has a huge Lakefront swimming area with a sandy beach, pavilion, restrooms, showers, a playground, and (for an additional fee) a splash-pad. Waterfront park is the crown jewel of Clermont, and is very well-known in the triathlon community. Waterfront park tends to get crowded in the mid-day. If you are looking to practice, we recommend you arrive early. Historic Downtown Clermont (with several good places to eat) is located within a mile. Finally, Waterfront Park is located directly on the South Lake Trail, making it a great place to either swim/bike or swim/run. 

Swim Workouts

Coming Soon